The vivid descriptions of food overshadow both the canines and the puzzle.
By Ellie Alexander ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 22, 2023
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is taking a unique turn with the addition of canine performers. Ashland, a beautiful town in the Rogue Valley, is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It is also home to Torte, the family bakery owned by Juliet Capshaw and her team. On a delivery run, Juliet meets King George, a talented pug who has been cast in an OSF play.
His owner, Marcia, is a recent addition to the mahjong group that Juliet’s mother’s friend Wendy hosts. Juliet is surprised to learn of the difficulties of managing animal actors, and hears of a feud between Marcia and Jax, the owner of Pippa, George’s understudy. Wendy has recently purchased an antique mahjong set from a thrift shop, and finds a mysterious note inside about a dead dragon.
This coincides with the OSF production of A Play About a Dragon. Lance, the OSF artistic director, is frustrated with the drama surrounding the canine actors, which is further complicated by an animal coordinator who appears to dislike animals, a diva of a dog trainer, and even the dog beautician. After a Halloween parade, Juliet and her husband Carlos find a man in a dragon costume dead in front of Torte. Lance identifies him as Anton Dudley, the OSF animal consultant. Juliet and her friends decide to investigate, and uncover some unexpected results.
Pub Date: Aug. 22, 2023
ISBN: 9781250854407
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Minotaur
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023